The national debt, health care costs, taxes and job creation are the election issues concerning local business owners.
David Dawson, Dawson Doors president and chief executive officer, said there is a wait-and-see attitude for business owners when it comes to who will be the next president of the United States.
''There is an enormous amount of caution based upon who wins the presidency on the part of business,'' he said. ''People are standing on the sidelines and are not willing to move forward with the uncertainty.''
Dawson said he believes the national debt is the most critical point in the presidential election. The CEO said the national debt, which is more than $16 trillion, needs to be under control or the country is in for a long, hard fall.
''This is a watershed point for the country. We are going to go in one of two directions,'' he said. ''I'm hoping it is a direction that doesn't lead to bankruptcy.''
Dawson said all the other races at any level of government pale in comparison with the presidency. He said most business people he has discussed the presidential race with are pulling for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
''Most business people I know, and I've talked to a lot, are firmly in Romney's camp,'' he said. ''He seems more concerned with getting the debt under control.''
Jim Sirianno, Riverwalk Self Storage owner, said he has been a business owner for 20-plus years and has never seen the economy in such a lull.
''I've been through every type of business retail, software, services I've done it all. Nothing is setting the world on fire right now,'' he said. ''I've never felt it like this before. Something isn't right.''
Sirianno said the issue he feels is most important this election is job creation. He said jobs don't come unless there are businesses.
''We've go to put someone in there that knows how to make jobs,'' he said.
Sirianno said his vote will probably go to the candidate that knows how to create jobs.
''When what you're doing doesn't work, you have to change what you're doing,'' he said. ''(President Barack) Obama has had his shot at it for four years and he is slipping. I'm for Romney for the simple fact he is a businessman. I like the idea of having a businessman in (the White House).''
Dave Messinger, Colecraft Commercial Furnishings chief executive officer, said health care is an important issue this election for businesses and their employees.
''Health care costs need to be stabilized. Ultimately, the total cost of health care will be something that needs to be affordable for us and affordable to the portion the employees have to pay,'' he said. ''We know for small businesses, like ours, a lot of times the ownership can't afford to offer health care or even provide it for themselves.''
Messinger didn't want to endorse any candidate, but did say he is supporting those that strengthen the path to recovery.
''We are a small business, so we are very much concerned with supporting candidates that are going to be the friendliest to small businesses,'' he said. ''I certainly believe both candidates, national candidates, have points that can be considered favorable to small business and can grow our economy. Then they both have parts of their platform that is not so favorable.''
Gary Henry, Fancher Chair chief executive officer, said taxes and regulations are what concerns him the most when it comes to the election. He said candidates pushing agendas to support health care and tax relief will help businesses the most.
''Taxes and regulations are adding extra burden and making us less and less competitive with overseas markets,'' he said.
Henry said Romney seems more online to help businesses on the national level.
''We're supporting the ones pushing pro-business, who want to lower taxes and want less regulations,'' he said.